The Seven Sacred Cities

Verse 1 (skanda.4.7.1)

अगस्तिरुवाच। मथुरायां द्विजः कश्चिदभूद्भूदेवसत्तमः। तस्य पुत्रो महातेजाः शिवशर्मेति विश्रुतः

agastiruvāca mathurāyāṁ dvijaḥ kaścidabhūdbhūdevasattamaḥ tasya putro mahātejāḥ śivaśarmeti viśrutaḥ

Agastya said: In the city of Mathura there lived a certain brahmin, foremost among the gods on earth. His son, radiant with great splendor, was renowned by the name Shivasharma.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.7.2)

अधीत्यवेदान्विधिवदर्थं विज्ञाय तत्त्वतः। पठित्वा धर्मशास्त्राणि पुराणान्यधिगम्य च

adhītyavedānvidhivadarthaṁ vijñāya tattvataḥ paṭhitvā dharmaśāstrāṇi purāṇānyadhigamya ca

He studied the Vedas according to prescribed rule and truly grasped their meaning; he read the Dharmashastras and mastered the Puranas as well.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.7.3)

अंगान्यभ्यस्य तर्कांश्च परिलोड्य समंततः। मीमांसाद्वयमालोक्य धनुर्वेदं विगाह्य च

aṁgānyabhyasya tarkāṁśca pariloḍya samaṁtataḥ mīmāṁsādvayamālokya dhanurvedaṁ vigāhya ca

He practiced the Vedangas, thoroughly churned through the science of logic, surveyed both branches of Mimamsa, and delved deep into the science of archery.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.7.4)

आयुर्वेदं विचार्यापि नाट्यवेदे कृतश्रमः । अर्थशास्त्राण्यनेकानि प्राप्याश्वगजचेष्टितम्

āyurvedaṁ vicāryāpi nāṭyavede kṛtaśramaḥ arthaśāstrāṇyanekāni prāpyāśvagajaceṣṭitam

He reflected upon Ayurveda too, exerted himself in the science of dramaturgy, mastered many treatises on statecraft, and acquired knowledge of the ways of horses and elephants.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.7.5)

कलासु च कृताभ्यासो मन्त्रशास्त्रविचक्षणः । भाषाश्च नाना देशानां लिपीर्ज्ञात्वा विदेशजाः

kalāsu ca kṛtābhyāso mantraśāstravicakṣaṇaḥ bhāṣāśca nānā deśānāṁ lipīrjñātvā videśajāḥ

He became skilled in the various arts, learned in the science of mantras, and came to know the many languages of different lands along with foreign scripts.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.7.6)

अर्थानुपार्ज्य धर्मेण भुक्त्वा भोगान्यदृच्छया । उत्पाद्य पुत्रान्सुगुणांस्तेभ्यो ह्यर्थं विभज्य च

arthānupārjya dharmeṇa bhuktvā bhogānyadṛcchayā utpādya putrānsuguṇāṁstebhyo hyarthaṁ vibhajya ca

He earned wealth righteously, enjoyed pleasures as they came, begot virtuous sons, and duly divided his wealth among them.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.7.7)

यौवनं गत्वरं ज्ञात्वा जरां दृष्ट्वाश्रितां श्रुतिम् । चिन्तामवाप महती शिवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः

yauvanaṁ gatvaraṁ jñātvā jarāṁ dṛṣṭvāśritāṁ śrutim cintāmavāpa mahatī śivaśarmā dvijottamaḥ

Knowing youth to be fleeting, and seeing old age already come near his ears, Shivasharma, that foremost of brahmins, fell into deep anxiety.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.7.8)

पठतो मे गतः कालस्तथोपार्जयतो धनम् । नाराधितो महेशानः कर्मनिर्मूलनक्षमः

paṭhato me gataḥ kālastathopārjayato dhanam nārādhito maheśānaḥ karmanirmūlanakṣamaḥ

"My time," he thought, "has passed away in study and in earning wealth; I never worshipped the great Lord Mahesha, who alone is capable of uprooting one's karma."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.7.9)

न मया तोषितो विष्णुः सर्वपापहरो हरिः । सर्वकामप्रदो नृणां गणेशो नार्चितो मया

na mayā toṣito viṣṇuḥ sarvapāpaharo hariḥ sarvakāmaprado nṛṇāṁ gaṇeśo nārcito mayā

"I never pleased Vishnu, Hari, the remover of all sin; nor did I worship Ganesha, who fulfills every desire of men."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.7.10)

तमस्तोमहरः सूर्यो नार्चि तो वै मया क्वचित् । महामाया जगद्धात्री न ध्याता भवबंधहृत्

tamastomaharaḥ sūryo nārci to vai mayā kvacit mahāmāyā jagaddhātrī na dhyātā bhavabaṁdhahṛt

"I never once worshipped the Sun, dispeller of the mass of darkness, nor did I ever meditate upon the great Goddess Mahamaya, sustainer of the world, who cuts asunder the bonds of worldly existence."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.7.11)

न प्रीणिता मया देवा यज्ञैः सर्वैः समृद्धिदाः । तुलसीवन शुश्रूषा न कृता पापशांतये

na prīṇitā mayā devā yajñaiḥ sarvaiḥ samṛddhidāḥ tulasīvana śuśrūṣā na kṛtā pāpaśāṁtaye

"I never gratified the gods, the givers of every prosperity, through sacrifices, nor did I tend a tulsi grove for the pacifying of sin."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.7.12)

न मया तर्पिता विप्रा मृष्टान्नैर्मधुरै रसैः । इहापि च परत्रापि विपदामनुतारकाः

na mayā tarpitā viprā mṛṣṭānnairmadhurai rasaiḥ ihāpi ca paratrāpi vipadāmanutārakāḥ

"I never satisfied brahmins with delicious food and sweet delicacies -- an offering that carries one across calamities, both here and in the world beyond."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.7.13)

बहुपुष्पफलोपेताः सुच्छायाः स्निग्धपल्लवाः । पथि नारोपिता वृक्षा इहामुत्रफलप्रदाः

bahupuṣpaphalopetāḥ succhāyāḥ snigdhapallavāḥ pathi nāropitā vṛkṣā ihāmutraphalapradāḥ

"I never planted along the roadside trees laden with abundant flowers and fruit, giving cool shade, with tender fresh leaves -- trees that yield their fruit both in this world and the next."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.7.14)

दुकूलैः स्वानुकूलैश्च चोलैः प्रत्यंगभूषणैः । नालंकृताः सुवासिन्य इहामुत्रसुवासदाः

dukūlaiḥ svānukūlaiśca colaiḥ pratyaṁgabhūṣaṇaiḥ nālaṁkṛtāḥ suvāsinya ihāmutrasuvāsadāḥ

"I never adorned married women with fine silks well suited to them, with bodices, and with ornaments for every limb -- an offering that bestows fragrant blessing both here and hereafter."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.7.15)

द्विजाय नोर्वरा दत्ता यमलोकनिवारिणी । सुवर्णं न सुवर्णाय दत्तं दुरितहृत्परम्

dvijāya norvarā dattā yamalokanivāriṇī suvarṇaṁ na suvarṇāya dattaṁ duritahṛtparam

"I never gave fertile land to a brahmin -- land that wards off the world of Yama -- nor did I give gold, the supreme remover of sin, to a worthy recipient."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.7.16)

नालंकृता सवत्सा गौः पात्राय प्रतिपादिता । इह पापापहंत्र्याशु सप्तजन्मसुखावहा

nālaṁkṛtā savatsā gauḥ pātrāya pratipāditā iha pāpāpahaṁtryāśu saptajanmasukhāvahā

"I never presented an adorned cow with her calf to a worthy recipient -- a gift that swiftly destroys sin in this world and brings happiness for seven lifetimes."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.7.17)

ऋणापनुत्तये मातुः कारितो न जलाशयः । नातिथिस्तोषितः क्वापि स्वर्गमार्गप्रदर्शकः

ṛṇāpanuttaye mātuḥ kārito na jalāśayaḥ nātithistoṣitaḥ kvāpi svargamārgapradarśakaḥ

"I never had a reservoir dug to free myself of my mother's debt, nor did I ever satisfy a guest anywhere -- a guest who shows the way to heaven."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.7.18)

छत्रोपानत्कुंडिकाश्च नाध्वगाय समर्पिताः । यास्यतः संयमिन्यां हि स्वर्गमार्गसुखप्रदाः

chatropānatkuṁḍikāśca nādhvagāya samarpitāḥ yāsyataḥ saṁyaminyāṁ hi svargamārgasukhapradāḥ

"I never offered an umbrella, sandals, and a water-pot to a traveler -- gifts that give comfort on the road to heaven to one journeying toward Yama's city of restraint."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.7.19)

न च कन्याविवाहार्थं वसु क्वापि मयार्पितम् । इह सौख्यसमृद्ध्यर्थं दिव्यकन्यार्पकं दिवि

na ca kanyāvivāhārthaṁ vasu kvāpi mayārpitam iha saukhyasamṛddhyarthaṁ divyakanyārpakaṁ divi

"I never gave wealth anywhere for a maiden's marriage -- a gift that grants prosperity and happiness here, and a celestial bride in heaven."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.7.20)

न वाजपेयावभृथे स्नातो लोभवशादहम् । इह जन्मनि चान्यस्मिन्बहुमृष्टान्नपानदे

na vājapeyāvabhṛthe snāto lobhavaśādaham iha janmani cānyasminbahumṛṣṭānnapānade

"Out of greed I never bathed in the concluding ablution of the Vajapeya sacrifice -- an act that bestows abundant fine food and drink both in this birth and in another."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.7.21)

न मया स्थापितं लिंगं कृत्वा देवालयं शुभम । यस्मिन्संस्थापिते लिंगो विश्वं संस्थापितं भवेत्

na mayā sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ kṛtvā devālayaṁ śubhama yasminsaṁsthāpite liṁgo viśvaṁ saṁsthāpitaṁ bhavet

"I never built an auspicious temple and installed a linga within it -- though by establishing a single linga, it is as if the whole universe itself is established."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.7.22)

विष्णोरायतनं नैव कृतं सर्वसमृद्धिदम् । न च सूर्यगणेशानां प्रतिमाः कारिता मया

viṣṇorāyatanaṁ naiva kṛtaṁ sarvasamṛddhidam na ca sūryagaṇeśānāṁ pratimāḥ kāritā mayā

"I never built a temple for Vishnu, the giver of every prosperity, nor did I ever have images of Surya and Ganesha made."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.7.23)

न गौरी न महालक्ष्मीश्चित्रेपि परिलेखिते । प्रतिमाकरणे चैषां न कुरूपो न दुर्भगः

na gaurī na mahālakṣmīścitrepi parilekhite pratimākaraṇe caiṣāṁ na kurūpo na durbhagaḥ

"Neither Gauri nor Mahalakshmi did I ever have depicted, even in a mere painting; yet in commissioning their images no one is ever ill-formed or unfortunate for the effort."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.7.24)

सुसूक्ष्माणि विचित्राणि नोज्ज्वलान्यंबराण्यपि । समर्पितानि विप्रेभ्यो दिव्यांबर समृद्धये

susūkṣmāṇi vicitrāṇi nojjvalānyaṁbarāṇyapi samarpitāni viprebhyo divyāṁbara samṛddhaye

"I never offered brahmins fine, delicately woven, richly colored, and radiant garments -- an offering that would have brought me a wealth of celestial raiment."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.7.25)

न तिलाश्च घृतेनाक्ताः सुसमिद्धे हुताशने । हुता वै मन्त्रपूताश्च सर्वपापापनुत्तये

na tilāśca ghṛtenāktāḥ susamiddhe hutāśane hutā vai mantrapūtāśca sarvapāpāpanuttaye

"I never offered, into a well-kindled sacred fire, sesame seeds anointed with ghee and consecrated by mantras, for the removal of all sin."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.7.26)

श्रीसूक्तं पावमानी च ब्राह्मणो मंडलानि च। जप्तं पुरुषसूक्तं न पापारि शतरुद्रियम्

śrīsūktaṁ pāvamānī ca brāhmaṇo maṁḍalāni ca japtaṁ puruṣasūktaṁ na pāpāri śatarudriyam

"I chanted neither the Shri Sukta nor the Pavamani hymn, neither the Brahmana mandalas nor the Purusha Sukta, nor the Shatarudriya, the great enemy of sin."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.7.27)

अश्वत्थ सेवा न कृता त्यक्त्वा चार्कं त्रयोदशीम्। सद्यः पापहरा सा हि न रात्रौ न भृगोर्दिने

aśvattha sevā na kṛtā tyaktvā cārkaṁ trayodaśīm sadyaḥ pāpaharā sā hi na rātrau na bhṛgordine

"I never performed the worship of the ashvattha tree, whether forsaking the sun on a Sunday, or on the thirteenth lunar day -- an act that instantly destroys sin -- nor at night, nor on Friday, the day of Bhrigu."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.7.28)

शयनीयं न चोत्सृष्टं मृदुला च प्रतूलिका । दीपीदर्पणसंयु्क्तं सर्वभोगसमृद्धिदम्

śayanīyaṁ na cotsṛṣṭaṁ mṛdulā ca pratūlikā dīpīdarpaṇasaṁyuktaṁ sarvabhogasamṛddhidam

"I never gave away a bed with its soft cushion, together with a lamp and a mirror -- a gift that bestows abundance of every enjoyment."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.7.29)

अजाश्वमहिषी मेषी दासी कृष्णाजिनं तिलाः । सकरंभास्तोयकुंभा नासनं मृदुपादुके

ajāśvamahiṣī meṣī dāsī kṛṣṇājinaṁ tilāḥ sakaraṁbhāstoyakuṁbhā nāsanaṁ mṛdupāduke

"A she-goat, a mare, a she-buffalo, a ewe, a maidservant, a black antelope skin, sesame seeds, curdled grain-gruel, jars filled with water, a seat, soft sandals -- none of these did I ever give away."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.7.30)

पादाभ्यंगं दीपदानं प्रपादानं विशेषतः । व्यजनं वस्त्रतांबूलं तथान्यन्मुखवासकृत

pādābhyaṁgaṁ dīpadānaṁ prapādānaṁ viśeṣataḥ vyajanaṁ vastratāṁbūlaṁ tathānyanmukhavāsakṛta

"Anointing another's feet, the gift of lamps, and especially the gift of drinking water, a fan, clothing, betel leaf, and other things that sweeten the breath -- none of these did I ever offer."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.7.31)

नित्यश्राद्धं भूतबलिं तथाऽतिथि समर्चनम् । विशन्त्यन्यानि दत्त्वा च प्रशस्यानि यमालये

nityaśrāddhaṁ bhūtabaliṁ tathā'tithi samarcanam viśantyanyāni dattvā ca praśasyāni yamālaye

"The daily shraddha, the offering to lesser beings, and the honoring of guests -- these and other such praiseworthy acts, once performed, are what a man carries with him and finds praised even in Yama's abode."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.7.32)

न यमं यमदूतांश्च नयामीरपि यातनाः। पश्यन्ति ते पुणयभाजो नैतच्चापि कृतं मया

na yamaṁ yamadūtāṁśca nayāmīrapi yātanāḥ paśyanti te puṇayabhājo naitaccāpi kṛtaṁ mayā

"Only those blessed with such merit never behold Yama, nor his messengers, nor the torments of hell -- but even that merit I have failed to earn."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.7.33)

कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणादीनि तथा नक्तव्रतानि च। शरीरशुद्धिकारीणि न कृतानि क्वचिन्मया

kṛcchracāṁdrāyaṇādīni tathā naktavratāni ca śarīraśuddhikārīṇi na kṛtāni kvacinmayā

"The Krichchhra and Chandrayana fasts and the like, and the Nakta vow too, which purify the body -- none of these have I ever undertaken."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.7.34)

गवाह्निकं च नोदत्तं कोकंडूतिर्न वै कृता। नोद्धृता पंकमग्ना गौर्गोलोकसुखदायिनी

gavāhnikaṁ ca nodattaṁ kokaṁḍūtirna vai kṛtā noddhṛtā paṁkamagnā gaurgolokasukhadāyinī

"I never gave a cow her daily care, nor ever scratched away her itch, nor ever pulled from the mud a cow mired there -- a cow who grants the bliss of Goloka."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.7.35)

नार्थिनः प्रार्थितैरर्थैः कृतार्था हि मया कृताः। देहिदेहीति जल्पाको भविष्याम्यन्यजन्मनि

nārthinaḥ prārthitairarthaiḥ kṛtārthā hi mayā kṛtāḥ dehidehīti jalpāko bhaviṣyāmyanyajanmani

"I never gratified petitioners by giving them the very things they sought -- so in another birth I shall myself become one who begs, crying 'give me, give me.'"

Verse 36 (skanda.4.7.36)

न वेदा न च शास्त्राणि नार्धो दारा न नो सुतः। न क्षेत्रं न च हर्म्यादि मायांतमनुयास्यति

na vedā na ca śāstrāṇi nārdho dārā na no sutaḥ na kṣetraṁ na ca harmyādi māyāṁtamanuyāsyati

"Neither the Vedas nor the scriptures, neither my wife who is half of myself, nor my sons, neither field nor mansion -- none of these will follow me to my death."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.7.37)

शिवशर्मेति संचिंत्य बुद्धिं संधाय सर्वतः। निश्चिकाय मनस्येवं भवेत्क्षेमतरं मम

śivaśarmeti saṁciṁtya buddhiṁ saṁdhāya sarvataḥ niścikāya manasyevaṁ bhavetkṣemataraṁ mama

Thus reflecting, Shivasharma gathered his mind from every side and resolved within himself: "This alone will bring about my greater good."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.7.38)

यावत्स्वस्थोस्ति मे देहो यावन्नेंद्रियविक्लवः। तावत्स्वश्रेयसां हेतुं तीर्थयात्रां करोम्यहम्

yāvatsvasthosti me deho yāvanneṁdriyaviklavaḥ tāvatsvaśreyasāṁ hetuṁ tīrthayātrāṁ karomyaham

"As long as my body remains healthy, and my senses have not yet failed, so long shall I undertake pilgrimage to sacred fords, for the sake of my own welfare."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.7.39)

दिनानि पंचपाण्येवमतिवाह्य गृहो द्विजः। शुभे तिथौ शुभे वारे शुभलग्नबले द्विजः

dināni paṁcapāṇyevamativāhya gṛho dvijaḥ śubhe tithau śubhe vāre śubhalagnabale dvijaḥ

Having thus passed five days at home, the householder brahmin, on an auspicious lunar day, an auspicious weekday, and under the strength of an auspicious ascendant --

Verse 40 (skanda.4.7.40)

उपोष्य रजनीमेकां प्रातः श्राद्धं विधाय च। गणेशान्ब्राह्मणान्नत्वा भुक्त्वा प्रस्थितवान्सुधीः

upoṣya rajanīmekāṁ prātaḥ śrāddhaṁ vidhāya ca gaṇeśānbrāhmaṇānnatvā bhuktvā prasthitavānsudhīḥ

-- having fasted for one night, performed the shraddha rite in the morning, bowed to Ganesha and to the brahmins, and taken his meal, the wise brahmin set forth on his journey.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.7.41)

इति निश्चित्य निर्वाणपदनिःश्रेणिकां पराम्। सर्वेषामेव जंतूनां तत्र संस्थितिकारिणाम्

iti niścitya nirvāṇapadaniḥśreṇikāṁ parām sarveṣāmeva jaṁtūnāṁ tatra saṁsthitikāriṇām

Having thus resolved, he set out toward that supreme stairway to the state of liberation -- a stairway that leads onward every being who abides there.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.7.42)

अथ पंथानमाक्रम्य कियंतमपि स द्विजः। मुहूर्तं पथि विश्रम्याचिंतयत्प्राक्क्व याम्यहम्

atha paṁthānamākramya kiyaṁtamapi sa dvijaḥ muhūrtaṁ pathi viśramyāciṁtayatprākkva yāmyaham

Then, having covered some distance along the road, the brahmin rested a while upon the path and began to think: "Where should I go first?"

Verse 43 (skanda.4.7.43)

भुवि तीर्थान्यनेकानि लोलमायुश्चलं मनः। ततः सप्तपुरीर्यायां सर्वतीर्थानि तत्र यत्

bhuvi tīrthānyanekāni lolamāyuścalaṁ manaḥ tataḥ saptapurīryāyāṁ sarvatīrthāni tatra yat

"On this earth there are countless sacred fords, but life is fickle and the mind unsteady; therefore let me go to the Seven Sacred Cities, for within them all the tirthas of the earth are found."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.7.44)

अयोध्यां च पुरीं गत्वा सरयूमवगाह्य च । तत्तत्तीर्थेषु संतर्प्य पितॄन्पिंडप्रदानतः

ayodhyāṁ ca purīṁ gatvā sarayūmavagāhya ca tattattīrtheṣu saṁtarpya pitṝnpiṁḍapradānataḥ

[So resolving,] he went to the city of Ayodhya, bathed in the river Sarayu, and at each of its sacred fords offered pinda oblations to satisfy his ancestors.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.7.45)

पंचरात्रमुषित्वा तु ब्राह्मणान्परिभोज्य च । प्रयागमगमद्विप्रस्तीर्थराजं सुहृष्टवत्

paṁcarātramuṣitvā tu brāhmaṇānparibhojya ca prayāgamagamadviprastīrtharājaṁ suhṛṣṭavat

Having stayed there five nights, and having fed brahmins, the twice-born went on, filled with joy, to Prayaga, the king of all sacred fords.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.7.46)

सिताऽसिते सरिच्छ्रेष्ठे यत्रास्तां सुरदुर्लभे । यत्राप्लुतो नरः पापः परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति

sitā'site saricchreṣṭhe yatrāstāṁ suradurlabhe yatrāpluto naraḥ pāpaḥ paraṁ brahmādhigacchati

There stand the fairest of rivers -- the white and the dark, rare even for the gods to attain -- where even a sinful man who bathes attains the supreme Brahman.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.7.47)

क्षेत्रं प्रजापतेः पुण्यं सर्वेषामेव दुर्लभम् । लभ्यते पुण्यसंभारैर्नान्यथार्थस्य राशिभिः

kṣetraṁ prajāpateḥ puṇyaṁ sarveṣāmeva durlabham labhyate puṇyasaṁbhārairnānyathārthasya rāśibhiḥ

This is the sacred field of Prajapati Brahma, hard indeed for anyone to attain; it is obtained only through an accumulated store of merit, never merely through heaps of wealth.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.7.48)

दमयंतीं कलिं कालं कलिंदतनयां शुभाम् । आगत्य मिलिता यत्र पुण्या स्वर्गतरंगिणी

damayaṁtīṁ kaliṁ kālaṁ kaliṁdatanayāṁ śubhām āgatya militā yatra puṇyā svargataraṁgiṇī

There the sacred river of heaven, Sarasvati, comes and mingles with Damayanti, Kali, Kala, and the auspicious daughter of Kalinda, the Yamuna.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.7.49)

प्रकृष्टं सर्वयागेभ्यः प्रयागमिति गीयते । यज्वनां पुनरावृत्तिर्न प्रयागार्द्रवर्ष्मणाम्

prakṛṣṭaṁ sarvayāgebhyaḥ prayāgamiti gīyate yajvanāṁ punarāvṛttirna prayāgārdravarṣmaṇām

Being superior to every sacrifice, it is sung of as "Prayaga"; those sacrificers whose very bodies are drenched with the waters of Prayaga know no return to rebirth.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.7.50)

यत्र स्थितः स्वयं साक्षाच्छूलटंको महेश्वरः । तत्राप्लुतानां जंतूनां मोक्षवर्त्मोपदेशकः

yatra sthitaḥ svayaṁ sākṣācchūlaṭaṁko maheśvaraḥ tatrāplutānāṁ jaṁtūnāṁ mokṣavartmopadeśakaḥ

There, in the very form of Shulatanka, the great Lord Shiva himself abides in person, teaching the path of liberation to every being who bathes there.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.7.51)

तत्राऽक्षय्यवटोऽप्यस्ति सप्तपातालमूलवान्। प्रलयेपि यमारुह्य मृकंडतनयोऽवसत्

tatrā'kṣayyavaṭo'pyasti saptapātālamūlavān pralayepi yamāruhya mṛkaṁḍatanayo'vasat

There too stands the Akshaya Vata, the imperishable banyan, whose roots extend down through all seven nether worlds -- the very tree upon which the son of Mrikandu, Markandeya, took refuge even during the deluge of dissolution.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.7.52)

हिरण्यगर्भो विज्ञेयः स साक्षाद्वटरूपधृक् । तत्समीपे द्विजान्भक्त्या संभोज्याक्षय पुण्यभाक्

hiraṇyagarbho vijñeyaḥ sa sākṣādvaṭarūpadhṛk tatsamīpe dvijānbhaktyā saṁbhojyākṣaya puṇyabhāk

That banyan tree should be known as none other than Hiranyagarbha, Brahma himself, in bodily form; whoever feeds brahmins with devotion near it becomes possessed of imperishable merit.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.7.53)

यत्र लक्ष्मीपतिः साक्षाद्वैकुंठादेत्य मानवान्। श्रीमाधवस्वरूपेण नयेद्विष्णोः परं पदम्

yatra lakṣmīpatiḥ sākṣādvaikuṁṭhādetya mānavān śrīmādhavasvarūpeṇa nayedviṣṇoḥ paraṁ padam

There the Lord of Lakshmi comes down in person from Vaikuntha, and in the form of Shri Madhava leads men to the supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.7.54)

श्रुतिभिः परिपठ्येते सिताऽसित सरिद्वरे। तत्राप्लुतां गाह्यमृतं भवंतीति विनिश्चितम्

śrutibhiḥ paripaṭhyete sitā'sita saridvare tatrāplutāṁ gāhyamṛtaṁ bhavaṁtīti viniścitam

The Vedas themselves sing the praise of these two fairest rivers, the white and the dark; it is firmly established that to bathe and immerse oneself there is verily to partake of nectar.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.7.55)

शिवलोकाद्ब्रह्मलोकादुमालोकवरात्पुनः। कुमारलोकाद्वैकुंठात्सत्यलोकात्समंततः। तपोजनमहर्भ्यश्च सर्वे स्वर्लोकवासिनः। भुवोलोकाच्च भूर्लोकान्नागलोकात्तथाऽखिलात्

śivalokādbrahmalokādumālokavarātpunaḥ kumāralokādvaikuṁṭhātsatyalokātsamaṁtataḥ tapojanamaharbhyaśca sarve svarlokavāsinaḥ bhuvolokācca bhūrlokānnāgalokāttathā'khilāt

From Shivaloka, from Brahmaloka, from Uma's own exalted world, from Kumaraloka, from Vaikuntha, from Satyaloka, from Tapoloka, Janaloka, and Maharloka, together with every dweller of Svarloka, and from Bhuvarloka, Bhurloka, and Nagaloka as well -- from every side --

Verse 56 (skanda.4.7.56)

अचला हिमवन्मुख्याः कल्पवृक्षादयो नगाः। स्नातुं माघे समायांति प्रयागमरुणोदये

acalā himavanmukhyāḥ kalpavṛkṣādayo nagāḥ snātuṁ māghe samāyāṁti prayāgamaruṇodaye

-- the mountains headed by the Himalaya, and the trees headed by the wish-fulfilling Kalpa tree, all come at dawn in the month of Magha to bathe at Prayaga.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.7.57)

दिगंगनाः प्रार्थयंति यत्प्रयागानिलानपि । तेपि नः पावयिष्यंति किं कुर्मः पंगवो वयम्

digaṁganāḥ prārthayaṁti yatprayāgānilānapi tepi naḥ pāvayiṣyaṁti kiṁ kurmaḥ paṁgavo vayam

Even the goddesses of the quarters entreat the very winds that blow from Prayaga, thinking, "they too shall purify us." What then are we, mere cripples, to do?

Verse 58 (skanda.4.7.58)

अश्वमेधादियागाश्च प्रयागस्य रजः पुनः । तुलितं ब्रह्मणा पूर्वं न ते तद्रजसा समाः

aśvamedhādiyāgāśca prayāgasya rajaḥ punaḥ tulitaṁ brahmaṇā pūrvaṁ na te tadrajasā samāḥ

Once, of old, Brahma weighed the Ashvamedha and other great sacrifices against the very dust of Prayaga -- and those sacrifices proved unequal to that dust.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.7.59)

मज्जागतानि पापानि बहुजन्मार्जितान्यपि । प्रयागनामश्रवणात्क्षीयंतेऽतीव विह्वलम्

majjāgatāni pāpāni bahujanmārjitānyapi prayāganāmaśravaṇātkṣīyaṁte'tīva vihvalam

Even sins accumulated over many lifetimes, sunk deep into the very marrow, are shaken and utterly consumed merely by the hearing of the name of Prayaga.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.7.60)

धर्मतीर्थमिदं सम्यगर्थतीर्थमिदं परम् । कामिकं तीर्थमेतच्च मोक्षतीर्थमिदं ध्रुवम्

dharmatīrthamidaṁ samyagarthatīrthamidaṁ param kāmikaṁ tīrthametacca mokṣatīrthamidaṁ dhruvam

This is indeed the tirtha of righteousness, this is the supreme tirtha of prosperity, this is likewise the tirtha of desire fulfilled, and this, without doubt, is the tirtha of liberation itself.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.7.61)

ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानि तावद्गर्जंति देहिषु । यावन्मज्जंति नो माघे प्रयागे पापहारिणि

brahmahatyādi pāpāni tāvadgarjaṁti dehiṣu yāvanmajjaṁti no māghe prayāge pāpahāriṇi

Sins such as the killing of a brahmin roar within embodied beings only so long as they have not immersed themselves, in the month of Magha, at sin-destroying Prayaga.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.7.62)

तद्विष्णोः परमं पदं सदा पश्यंति सूरयः। एतद्यत्पठ्यते वेदे तत्प्रयागं पुनः पुनः

tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padaṁ sadā paśyaṁti sūrayaḥ etadyatpaṭhyate vede tatprayāgaṁ punaḥ punaḥ

That supreme abode of Vishnu which the wise ever behold, and of which the Veda speaks again and again -- that is none other than Prayaga.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.7.63)

सरस्वती रजो रूपा तमोरूपा कलिंदजा। सत्त्वरूपा च गंगात्र नयंति ब्रह्मनिर्गुणम्

sarasvatī rajo rūpā tamorūpā kaliṁdajā sattvarūpā ca gaṁgātra nayaṁti brahmanirguṇam

Here Sarasvati takes the form of rajas, the daughter of Kalinda takes the form of tamas, and Ganga takes the form of sattva -- together the three lead one to the attributeless Brahman.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.7.64)

इयं वेणीहि निःश्रेणी ब्रह्मणो वर्त्मयास्यतः। जंतोर्विशुद्धदेहस्य श्रद्धाऽश्रद्धाप्लुतस्य च

iyaṁ veṇīhi niḥśreṇī brahmaṇo vartmayāsyataḥ jaṁtorviśuddhadehasya śraddhā'śraddhāplutasya ca

This very confluence is the stairway upon the path of Brahman, for any being of purified body who bathes here -- whether steeped in faith or in the absence of it.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.7.65)

काशीति काचिदबला भुवनेषु रूढा लोलार्क केशवविलोलविलोचना । तद्दोर्युगं च वरणासिरियं तदीया वेणीति याऽत्र गदिताऽक्षयशर्मभूमिः

kāśīti kācidabalā bhuvaneṣu rūḍhā lolārka keśavavilolavilocanā taddoryugaṁ ca varaṇāsiriyaṁ tadīyā veṇīti yā'tra gaditā'kṣayaśarmabhūmiḥ

There is a certain fair one, renowned in all the worlds by the name "Kashi," whose restless eyes rival the sun and Keshava himself; the rivers Varana and Asi are, as it were, her two arms, and the confluence spoken of here is her very braid -- she herself is the very ground of imperishable bliss.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.7.66)

अगस्तिरुवाच। सुधर्मिणि गुणांस्तस्य कोत्र वर्णयितुं क्षमः। तीर्थराजप्रयागस्य तीर्थैः संसेवितस्य च

agastiruvāca sudharmiṇi guṇāṁstasya kotra varṇayituṁ kṣamaḥ tīrtharājaprayāgasya tīrthaiḥ saṁsevitasya ca

Agastya said: O virtuous one, who indeed is capable of describing the glories of Prayaga, the king of sacred fords, a place itself served and revered by all other tirthas?

Verse 67 (skanda.4.7.67)

पापिनां यानि पापानि प्रसह्य क्षालितान्यहो। तच्छुद्ध्यै सेव्यते तीर्थैः प्रयागमधिकं ततः

pāpināṁ yāni pāpāni prasahya kṣālitānyaho tacchuddhyai sevyate tīrthaiḥ prayāgamadhikaṁ tataḥ

Ah, the sins of sinners are there forcibly washed clean away -- and it is for their own purification that other tirthas themselves come to serve Prayaga all the more.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.7.68)

प्रयागस्य गुणान्ज्ञात्वा शिवशर्मा द्विजः सुधीः। तत्र माघमुष्त्वाऽथ प्राप वाराणसीं पुरीम्

prayāgasya guṇānjñātvā śivaśarmā dvijaḥ sudhīḥ tatra māghamuṣtvā'tha prāpa vārāṇasīṁ purīm

Having learned the glories of Prayaga, the wise brahmin Shivasharma spent the month of Magha there, and then arrived at the city of Varanasi.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.7.69)

प्रवेश एव संवीक्ष्य स देहलिविनायकम्। अन्वलिंपत्ततो भक्त्या साज्यसिंदूरकर्दमैः

praveśa eva saṁvīkṣya sa dehalivināyakam anvaliṁpattato bhaktyā sājyasiṁdūrakardamaiḥ

The very moment he entered, he beheld Dehali Vinayaka, the Ganesha of the threshold, and with devotion anointed him with a paste of vermilion mixed with ghee.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.7.70)

निवेद्यमोदकान्पंच वंचयंतं निजं जनम्। महोपसर्गवर्गेभ्यस्ततोंऽतः क्षेत्रमाविशत्

nivedyamodakānpaṁca vaṁcayaṁtaṁ nijaṁ janam mahopasargavargebhyastatoṁ'taḥ kṣetramāviśat

He offered five modakas to that God who protects his own devotees, as if by gentle trickery, from the whole host of great afflictions -- and then he entered within the sacred field.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.7.71)

आगत्य दृष्ट्वा मणिकर्णिकायामुदग्वहां स्वर्गतरंगिणीं सः। संक्षीणपुण्येतरपुण्यकर्मणां नृणां गणैः स्थाणुगणैरिवावृताम्

āgatya dṛṣṭvā maṇikarṇikāyāmudagvahāṁ svargataraṁgiṇīṁ saḥ saṁkṣīṇapuṇyetarapuṇyakarmaṇāṁ nṛṇāṁ gaṇaiḥ sthāṇugaṇairivāvṛtām

Coming there, he beheld at Manikarnika the celestial river Ganga, flowing northward, thronged about by crowds of men -- some of dwindled merit, some of abundant merit -- as though surrounded by throngs of unmoving ascetics.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.7.72)

सचैलमाप्लुत्य जलेऽमलेऽमलेऽविलंबमालंबित शुद्धबुद्धिः । संतर्प्य देर्वीषमनुष्यदिव्यपितॄन्पितॄन्स्वान्सहि कर्मकांडवित्

sacailamāplutya jale'male'male'vilaṁbamālaṁbita śuddhabuddhiḥ saṁtarpya dervīṣamanuṣyadivyapitṝnpitṝnsvānsahi karmakāṁḍavit

Bathing there, robes and all, without delay, in that pure water, he of purified mind, well versed in the sacred rites, offered tarpana to his own ancestors -- divine, human, and celestial forefathers alike.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.7.73)

विधाय च द्राक्स हि पंचतीर्थिकां विश्वेशमाराध्य ततो यथास्वम् । पुनःपुनर्वीक्ष्यपुरीं पुरारेरिदं मयालोकिनवेति विस्मितः

vidhāya ca drāksa hi paṁcatīrthikāṁ viśveśamārādhya tato yathāsvam punaḥpunarvīkṣyapurīṁ purāreridaṁ mayālokinaveti vismitaḥ

Then, without delay, he performed the Panchatirthi pilgrimage, and duly worshipped Vishveshvara according to rite; gazing again and again upon that city of the Enemy of Tripura, he grew astonished, wondering, "Have I ever truly beheld this before?"

Verse 74 (skanda.4.7.74)

न स्वः पुरी सा त्वनया पुरासमं समंजसापि प्रतिसाम्यमावहेत । प्रबंधभेदाद्व्यतिरिक्तपुस्तकप्रतिर्यथा सल्लिपिभेदभंगतः

na svaḥ purī sā tvanayā purāsamaṁ samaṁjasāpi pratisāmyamāvaheta prabaṁdhabhedādvyatiriktapustakapratiryathā sallipibhedabhaṁgataḥ

No other city, however fitting a match it might once have seemed, could ever truly equal this one -- just as a different manuscript copy of the very same text differs from another owing to the variations of its scribe's hand.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.7.75)

पयोपि यत्रत्यमचिंत्यवैभवं दिविस्थिता साधुसुधाप्यतोमुधा। तथा प्रसूतेस्तु पयोधरे पयो न पीयते पीतमिदं यदि क्वचित्

payopi yatratyamaciṁtyavaibhavaṁ divisthitā sādhusudhāpyatomudhā tathā prasūtestu payodhare payo na pīyate pītamidaṁ yadi kvacit

Even the water there holds an inconceivable glory; the very nectar of the gods dwelling in heaven, in comparison, is rendered useless; and so, once one has tasted this water, even the milk at a mother's breast can hardly be said to have been truly tasted at all.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.7.76)

अनामयाश्चिंतनया न येशितुर्जनामनाग्यत्र विना पिनाकिना । न कर्मसत्कर्मकृतोपि कुर्वतेऽनुकुर्वते शर्वगणांश्च सर्वतः

anāmayāściṁtanayā na yeśiturjanāmanāgyatra vinā pinākinā na karmasatkarmakṛtopi kurvate'nukurvate śarvagaṇāṁśca sarvataḥ

There, the people suffer no affliction of the mind save by the will of Pinakin, Shiva himself; even those who perform good deeds do not truly act of their own accord -- in everything they merely follow after the hosts of Shiva.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.7.77)

न वर्ण्यते कैः किल काशिकेयं जंतोः स्थितस्यात्र यतोंतकाले । पचेलिमैः प्राक्कृतपुण्यभारैरोंकारमोंकारयतींदुमौलिः

na varṇyate kaiḥ kila kāśikeyaṁ jaṁtoḥ sthitasyātra yatoṁtakāle pacelimaiḥ prākkṛtapuṇyabhārairoṁkāramoṁkārayatīṁdumauliḥ

Who indeed could ever describe this Kashi -- where, for a being dwelling here, at the very hour of death, through the ripened weight of merit accumulated in past lives, the moon-crested Lord himself causes the syllable Om to resound?

Verse 78 (skanda.4.7.78)

संसारिचिंतामणिरत्र यस्मात्तं तारकं सज्जनकर्णिकायाम्। शिवोभिधत्ते सहसांऽतकाले तद्गीयतेसौ मणि कर्णिकेति

saṁsāriciṁtāmaṇiratra yasmāttaṁ tārakaṁ sajjanakarṇikāyām śivobhidhatte sahasāṁ'takāle tadgīyatesau maṇi karṇiketi

Because here Shiva himself, at the sudden hour of death, whispers into the ear -- the karnika, the very pupil-jewel -- of the righteous, that Taraka mantra which is the very wish-fulfilling gem for beings caught in samsara -- for this reason this place is sung of as "Manikarnika."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.7.79)

मुक्तिलक्ष्मी महापीठ मणिस्तच्चरणाब्जयोः । कर्णिकेयं ततः प्राहुर्यां जना मणिकर्णिकाम्

muktilakṣmī mahāpīṭha maṇistaccaraṇābjayoḥ karṇikeyaṁ tataḥ prāhuryāṁ janā maṇikarṇikām

This place is also the very jewel set at the lotus feet, that great seat of the Goddess of Liberation; hence people call it "Karnika," which men know as Manikarnika.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.7.80)

जरायुजांडजोद्भिज्जाः स्वेदजाह्यत्र वासिनः । न समा मोक्षभाजस्ते त्रिदशैर्मुक्तिदुर्दशैः

jarāyujāṁḍajodbhijjāḥ svedajāhyatra vāsinaḥ na samā mokṣabhājaste tridaśairmuktidurdaśaiḥ

Beings dwelling here -- born from the womb, the egg, the sprout, or from sweat -- all become sharers in liberation; and even the gods themselves, for whom liberation is so hard to attain, cannot be counted equal to them.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.7.81)

मम जन्म वृथाजातं दुर्वृत्तस्य जडात्मनः । नाद्ययावन्मयै क्षिष्ट काशिका मुक्तिकाशिका

mama janma vṛthājātaṁ durvṛttasya jaḍātmanaḥ nādyayāvanmayai kṣiṣṭa kāśikā muktikāśikā

[Shivasharma thought:] "My birth, dull-witted and ill-conducted as I am, has been utterly wasted -- for even to this day I have not truly served this Kashika, the giver of liberation."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.7.82)

पुनःपुनश्च तत्क्षेत्रमतिथीकृत्यनेत्रयोः । विचित्रं च पवित्रं च तृप्तिं नाधिजगाम ह

punaḥpunaśca tatkṣetramatithīkṛtyanetrayoḥ vicitraṁ ca pavitraṁ ca tṛptiṁ nādhijagāma ha

Though he made that wondrous, sacred field a guest of his own eyes again and again, still he could find no satiety.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.7.83)

सप्तानां च पुरीणां हि धुरी णामवयाम्यहम् । वाराणसीं सुनिर्वाणविश्राणनविचक्षणाम्

saptānāṁ ca purīṇāṁ hi dhurī ṇāmavayāmyaham vārāṇasīṁ sunirvāṇaviśrāṇanavicakṣaṇām

[He thought:] "Of the seven sacred cities, I hold Varanasi to be the very foremost, so skilled is she at bestowing the fair gift of final liberation."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.7.84)

तथापि न चतस्रोन्या मया दृग्गोचरीकृताः । तासां प्रभावं विज्ञायाप्यागमिष्याम्य हं पुनः

tathāpi na catasronyā mayā dṛggocarīkṛtāḥ tāsāṁ prabhāvaṁ vijñāyāpyāgamiṣyāmya haṁ punaḥ

"Yet the remaining four cities I have still not brought within the range of my own eyes; once I have learned their glory too, I shall surely return here again."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.7.85)

तीर्थयात्रां प्रतिदिनं कुर्वन्नूनं सवत्सरम् । न प्राप सर्वतीर्थानि तीर्थं काश्यां तिलेतिले

tīrthayātrāṁ pratidinaṁ kurvannūnaṁ savatsaram na prāpa sarvatīrthāni tīrthaṁ kāśyāṁ tiletile

Even performing pilgrimage every single day for a full year, he could not exhaust all the tirthas -- for in Kashi there is a sacred tirtha in every single grain, in every particle of ground.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.7.86)

अगस्तिरुवाच । जानन्न पि गुणान्देवि क्षेत्रस्यास्य परान्द्विजः । नाना प्रमाणैः प्रवणो निरगात्स तथाप्यहो

agastiruvāca jānanna pi guṇāndevi kṣetrasyāsya parāndvijaḥ nānā pramāṇaiḥ pravaṇo niragātsa tathāpyaho

Agastya said: O Goddess, even though that brahmin knew the supreme glories of this sacred field, drawn as he was by manifold scriptural injunctions, he nevertheless -- alas -- departed from it.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.7.87)

किं कुर्वंति हि शास्त्राणि सप्रमाणानि सुंदरि । महामायां भवित्री तां को निवारयितुं क्षमः

kiṁ kurvaṁti hi śāstrāṇi sapramāṇāni suṁdari mahāmāyāṁ bhavitrī tāṁ ko nivārayituṁ kṣamaḥ

O fair one, what indeed can scriptures, however well supported by proofs, truly accomplish? Who has the power to hold back that great Maya, when what is destined must come to pass?

Verse 88 (skanda.4.7.88)

कः समुच्चलितं चेतस्तोयंवा संप्रतीपयेत् । प्रोच्चथानस्थितमपि स्वभावोयच्चलस्तयोः

kaḥ samuccalitaṁ cetastoyaṁvā saṁpratīpayet proccathānasthitamapi svabhāvoyaccalastayoḥ

Who can turn back a mind that has once set itself in motion, or water once flowing? For it is the very nature of both to be restless, however firmly one may try to hold them still.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.7.89)

शिवशर्मा व्रजन्सोथ देशाद्देशांतरं क्रमात् । महाकाल पुरीं प्राप कलिकालविवर्जिताम्

śivaśarmā vrajansotha deśāddeśāṁtaraṁ kramāt mahākāla purīṁ prāpa kalikālavivarjitām

Thus Shivasharma, journeying on from land to land in due course, arrived at the city of Mahakala, a place untouched by the influence of the Kali age.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.7.90)

कल्पेकल्पेखिलंविश्वं कालयेद्यः स्वलीलया । तं कालं कलयित्वा यो महाकालो भवत्किल

kalpekalpekhilaṁviśvaṁ kālayedyaḥ svalīlayā taṁ kālaṁ kalayitvā yo mahākālo bhavatkila

He who, kalpa after kalpa, through his own divine play, governs and measures out the entire universe -- by mastering even Time itself, he indeed became known as Mahakala.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.7.91)

पापादवंती सा विश्वमवंतीति निगद्यते । युगेयुगेन्यनाम्नी सा कलावुज्जयिनीति च

pāpādavaṁtī sā viśvamavaṁtīti nigadyate yugeyugenyanāmnī sā kalāvujjayinīti ca

Because it guards the world from sin, it is called "Avanti"; in every age it has borne a different name, and in the Kali age it is called "Ujjayini."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.7.92)

विपन्नो यत्र वै जंतुः प्राप्यापि शवतां स्फुटम् । न पूतिगंधमाप्नो ति समुच्छ्रयति न क्वचित्

vipanno yatra vai jaṁtuḥ prāpyāpi śavatāṁ sphuṭam na pūtigaṁdhamāpno ti samucchrayati na kvacit

There, a creature who has died and clearly become a corpse takes on no foul odor whatsoever, nor does it ever swell in decay.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.7.93)

यमदूता न यस्यां हि प्रविशंति कदाचन । परःकोटीनि लिंगानि तस्यां संति पदेपदे

yamadūtā na yasyāṁ hi praviśaṁti kadācana paraḥkoṭīni liṁgāni tasyāṁ saṁti padepade

Into this city Yama's messengers can never at any time set foot; here, at every single step, exist more than a hundred million lingas.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.7.94)

हाटकेशो महाकालस्तारके शस्तथैव च । एकलिंगं त्रिधा भूत्वा त्रिलोकीं व्याप्य संस्थितम्

hāṭakeśo mahākālastārake śastathaiva ca ekaliṁgaṁ tridhā bhūtvā trilokīṁ vyāpya saṁsthitam

Hatakesha, Mahakala, and likewise Tarakeshvara -- these are one and the same linga, become threefold, pervading and abiding through all three worlds.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.7.95)

ज्योतिः सिद्धवटे ज्योतिस्ते पश्यंतीह ये द्विजाः । अथवाश्रीमहाकालद्रष्टारः पुण्यराशयः

jyotiḥ siddhavaṭe jyotiste paśyaṁtīha ye dvijāḥ athavāśrīmahākāladraṣṭāraḥ puṇyarāśayaḥ

The brahmins who, here, behold that light within the Siddhavata, or who behold the glorious Mahakala himself, are veritable heaps of accumulated merit.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.7.96)

महाकालस्य तल्लिंगं यैर्दृष्टं कष्टिभिः क्वचित । न स्पृष्टास्ते महापापैर्न दृष्टास्ते यमोद्भटैः

mahākālasya talliṁgaṁ yairdṛṣṭaṁ kaṣṭibhiḥ kvacita na spṛṣṭāste mahāpāpairna dṛṣṭāste yamodbhaṭaiḥ

Even those in distress who have somehow once beheld that linga of Mahakala are never touched by great sins, nor are they ever even glimpsed by the fierce agents of Yama.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.7.97)

महाकालपताकाग्रैः स्पृष्टपृष्ठास्तुरंगमाः । अरुणस्य कशाघातं क्षणं विश्रमयंति खे

mahākālapatākāgraiḥ spṛṣṭapṛṣṭhāsturaṁgamāḥ aruṇasya kaśāghātaṁ kṣaṇaṁ viśramayaṁti khe

The very horses of the sun, whose backs are grazed by the tips of Mahakala's banners, find rest for a single moment in the sky from Aruna's driving whip.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.7.98)

महाकालमहाकालमहाकालेतिसंततम् । स्मरतःस्मरतो नित्यं स्मरकर्तृस्मरांतकौ

mahākālamahākālamahākāletisaṁtatam smarataḥsmarato nityaṁ smarakartṛsmarāṁtakau

For one who unceasingly, ever and again, remembers, remembers, remembers "Mahakala, Mahakala, Mahakala" -- to him he reveals himself as both the creator of Kama and the destroyer of Kama.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.7.99)

एवमाराध्य भूतेशं महाकालं ततो द्विजः । जगाम नगरीं कांतीं कांतां त्रिभुवनादपि

evamārādhya bhūteśaṁ mahākālaṁ tato dvijaḥ jagāma nagarīṁ kāṁtīṁ kāṁtāṁ tribhuvanādapi

Having thus worshipped Bhutesha, the Lord Mahakala, the brahmin then journeyed on to the city of Kanti, lovelier than the three worlds themselves.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.7.100)

लक्ष्मीकांतः स्वयं साक्षाज्जंतूंस्तत्रनिवासिनः । श्रीकांतानेव कुरुते परत्रेह च निश्चितम्

lakṣmīkāṁtaḥ svayaṁ sākṣājjaṁtūṁstatranivāsinaḥ śrīkāṁtāneva kurute paratreha ca niścitam

There, Lakshmi's own Lord in person makes the very beings who dwell in that city partakers of divine fortune, both in this world and beyond -- of this there is no doubt.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.7.101)

दृष्ट्वा कांतीं कांतिमतीं कांतिमद्भिर्निषेविताम् । कांतिमानभवत्सोपि नाकांतिस्तत्र कस्यचित्

dṛṣṭvā kāṁtīṁ kāṁtimatīṁ kāṁtimadbhirniṣevitām kāṁtimānabhavatsopi nākāṁtistatra kasyacit

Beholding Kanti, resplendent and served by the resplendent, he too became resplendent -- for there, no one is ever found without radiance.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.7.102)

तत्र कृत्यं च यत्कृत्यं तत्कृत्वा सर्वकृत्यवित् । सप्तरात्रमुषित्वा तु ययौ द्वारवतीं पुरीम्

tatra kṛtyaṁ ca yatkṛtyaṁ tatkṛtvā sarvakṛtyavit saptarātramuṣitvā tu yayau dvāravatīṁ purīm

There, that knower of every sacred duty performed whatever rites were to be performed; and having stayed seven nights, he went on to the city of Dvaravati.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.7.103)

चतुर्णामपि वर्गाणां यत्र द्वाराणि सर्वतः । अतो द्वारवतीत्युक्ता विद्वद्भिस्तत्त्ववेदिभिः

caturṇāmapi vargāṇāṁ yatra dvārāṇi sarvataḥ ato dvāravatītyuktā vidvadbhistattvavedibhiḥ

There, on every side, are found the very gates to all four of life's goals; hence the wise, the knowers of truth, have named it "Dvaravati," the city of gates.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.7.104)

अस्थीन्यपि च जंतूनां यत्र चक्रांकितान्यहो । किं चित्रं तत्र यत्र स्युः शंखचक्रांकितैः करैः

asthīnyapi ca jaṁtūnāṁ yatra cakrāṁkitānyaho kiṁ citraṁ tatra yatra syuḥ śaṁkhacakrāṁkitaiḥ karaiḥ

There, wondrous to say, even the very bones of creatures bear the mark of the discus -- yet is this any wonder, in a place where even people's hands are marked with the conch and the discus?

Verse 105 (skanda.4.7.105)

अंतकः शिक्षयत्येव निजदूतान्मुहुर्मुहुः । ते त्याज्या यैर्द्वारवत्या नामापि परिगृह्यते

aṁtakaḥ śikṣayatyeva nijadūtānmuhurmuhuḥ te tyājyā yairdvāravatyā nāmāpi parigṛhyate

Yama himself instructs his own messengers again and again: "Those must be shunned who so much as utter the very name of Dvaravati."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.7.106)

श्रीखंडे क्व स आमोदः स्वर्णे वर्णः क्व तादृशः । तत्पावित्र्यं क्व वै तीर्थे तद्गोपीचंदने यथा

śrīkhaṁḍe kva sa āmodaḥ svarṇe varṇaḥ kva tādṛśaḥ tatpāvitryaṁ kva vai tīrthe tadgopīcaṁdane yathā

Where in mere sandalwood is such fragrance found? Where in gold is such a hue found? Where in any ordinary tirtha is such purity found, as is found in that sacred Gopichandana clay?

Verse 107 (skanda.4.7.107)

दूताः शृण्वंतु यद्भालं गोपचंदनलांछितम् । ज्वलदिंगलवत्सोपि दूरे त्याज्यः प्रयत्नतः

dūtāḥ śṛṇvaṁtu yadbhālaṁ gopacaṁdanalāṁchitam jvaladiṁgalavatsopi dūre tyājyaḥ prayatnataḥ

[Yama says:] "Listen, O messengers -- whoever bears the mark of gopichandana upon his forehead, him too you must, like a burning coal, diligently shun from afar."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.7.108)

तुलस्यलंकृता ये ये तुलसी नामजापकाः । तुलसीवनपाला ये ते त्याज्या दूरतो भटाः

tulasyalaṁkṛtā ye ye tulasī nāmajāpakāḥ tulasīvanapālā ye te tyājyā dūrato bhaṭāḥ

"Whoever is adorned with tulsi, whoever chants the name of Tulsi, whoever guards a grove of tulsi -- these, O warriors, you must shun from afar."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.7.109)

युगेयुगे द्वारवत्या रत्नानि परितो मुषन् । अब्धीरत्नाकरोद्यापि लोकेषु परिगीयते

yugeyuge dvāravatyā ratnāni parito muṣan abdhīratnākarodyāpi lokeṣu parigīyate

Though in every age the ocean has plundered the very jewels of Dvaravati from every side, even to this day it is still sung of among people as the "mine of gems."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.7.110)

द्वारवत्यां म्रियंते ये जंतवः कालनोदिताः । चतुर्भुजाः स्युर्वैकुंठे ते पीतांबरधारिणः

dvāravatyāṁ mriyaṁte ye jaṁtavaḥ kālanoditāḥ caturbhujāḥ syurvaikuṁṭhe te pītāṁbaradhāriṇaḥ

Whatever beings, driven on by death, meet their end at Dvaravati, attain in Vaikuntha a four-armed form, clad in yellow garments.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.7.111)

तत्रापि संतर्प्य पितॄन्ससदेवर्षिमानवान्। तत्र तेषु च तीर्थेषु सस्नौ सर्वेष्वतंद्रितः

tatrāpi saṁtarpya pitṝnsasadevarṣimānavān tatra teṣu ca tīrtheṣu sasnau sarveṣvataṁdritaḥ

There too he offered tarpana to his ancestors, along with the gods, sages, and men; and, without any weariness, he bathed in every one of the sacred fords there.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.7.112)

ततो मायापुरीं प्राप्तो दुष्प्रापां पापकारिभिः। यत्र सा वैष्णवी माया मायापाशैर्नपाशयेत्

tato māyāpurīṁ prāpto duṣprāpāṁ pāpakāribhiḥ yatra sā vaiṣṇavī māyā māyāpāśairnapāśayet

Then he reached Mayapuri, a city hard indeed for evildoers to attain, where that very Vaishnavi Maya does not ensnare one in the nooses of illusion.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.7.113)

केचिदूचुर्हरिद्वारं मोक्षद्वारं ततः परे । गंगाद्वारं च केप्याहुः केचिन्मायापुरं पुनः

kecidūcurharidvāraṁ mokṣadvāraṁ tataḥ pare gaṁgādvāraṁ ca kepyāhuḥ kecinmāyāpuraṁ punaḥ

Some call it Haridwar, others still call it the Gate of Liberation; some call it Gangadwar, while others again call it Mayapura.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.7.114)

यतो विनिर्गता गंगा ख्याता भागीरथी भुवि। यन्नामोच्चारणात्पुंसां पापं या ति सहस्रधा

yato vinirgatā gaṁgā khyātā bhāgīrathī bhuvi yannāmoccāraṇātpuṁsāṁ pāpaṁ yā ti sahasradhā

It is from here that Ganga issues forth, renowned on earth as Bhagirathi -- she whose very name, once uttered, sends men's sin fleeing away a thousandfold.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.7.115)

वैकुंठस्यैकसोपानं हरिद्वारं जगुर्जनाः । अत्राप्लुता नरा यांति तद्विष्णोःपरमं पदम्

vaikuṁṭhasyaikasopānaṁ haridvāraṁ jagurjanāḥ atrāplutā narā yāṁti tadviṣṇoḥparamaṁ padam

People declare Haridwar to be the single stairway leading up to Vaikuntha; men who bathe here attain that very supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.7.116)

तीर्थोपवासकं कृत्वा निशाजागरणं तथा । प्रातः स्नात्वा च गंगायां तर्प्यान्संतर्पप्य सर्वतः

tīrthopavāsakaṁ kṛtvā niśājāgaraṇaṁ tathā prātaḥ snātvā ca gaṁgāyāṁ tarpyānsaṁtarpapya sarvataḥ

Having observed a fast at that sacred ford, kept vigil through the night, bathed in the morning in the Ganga, and offered tarpana on every side to all who were owed it --

Verse 117 (skanda.4.7.117)

यावत्स पारणं कर्तुमियेष द्विजसत्तमः । तावच्छीतज्वराक्रांतश्चकंपेऽत्यर्थमातुरः

yāvatsa pāraṇaṁ kartumiyeṣa dvijasattamaḥ tāvacchītajvarākrāṁtaścakaṁpe'tyarthamāturaḥ

-- just as that best of brahmins was about to break his fast, he was suddenly seized by a cold fever and began to shake, in the greatest distress.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.7.118)

वैदेशिकस्तथैकाकी तथाऽतिज्वरपीडितः । चिंतामवाप महती किमेतत्समुपस्थितम्

vaideśikastathaikākī tathā'tijvarapīḍitaḥ ciṁtāmavāpa mahatī kimetatsamupasthitam

Being a stranger far from home, alone, and now stricken by so severe a fever, he fell into deep anxiety: "What is this that has now befallen me?"

Verse 119 (skanda.4.7.119)

चिंतार्णवे निमग्नोभूत्त्यक्ताशो जीविते धने । सांयात्रिक इवागाधे भिन्नपोतो महार्णवे

ciṁtārṇave nimagnobhūttyaktāśo jīvite dhane sāṁyātrika ivāgādhe bhinnapoto mahārṇave

He sank into an ocean of anxiety, all hope of life and wealth abandoned, like some seafaring merchant whose ship has broken apart upon a bottomless ocean.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.7.120)

क्वक्षेत्रं क्व कलत्रं मे क्व पुत्राः क्व च तद्वसु । क्व तद्विचित्रं वै हर्म्यं क्व सा पुस्तकसंभृतिः

kvakṣetraṁ kva kalatraṁ me kva putrāḥ kva ca tadvasu kva tadvicitraṁ vai harmyaṁ kva sā pustakasaṁbhṛtiḥ

[He lamented:] "Where now is my field, where my wife, where my sons, where that wealth of mine? Where is that wondrous mansion of mine, where that collection of my books?"

Verse 121 (skanda.4.7.121)

अद्यापि नायुः पर्याप्तं प लितं न तथा मयि । ज्वरोयं दारुणः प्राप्तः कालज्ञश्चातिदारुणः

adyāpi nāyuḥ paryāptaṁ pa litaṁ na tathā mayi jvaroyaṁ dāruṇaḥ prāptaḥ kālajñaścātidāruṇaḥ

"Even now my span of life is not yet spent, nor has old age so overtaken me; yet this dreadful fever, knowing well its hour, has come upon me most cruelly."

Verse 122 (skanda.4.7.122)

मृत्युर्मूर्ध्निकृतावासो वासो दूरे व्यवस्थितः । अग्नौ गृहोपरि प्राप्ते कूपं तु खनयेदिह

mṛtyurmūrdhnikṛtāvāso vāso dūre vyavasthitaḥ agnau gṛhopari prāpte kūpaṁ tu khanayediha

"Death has already made its dwelling upon my very head, while my own home lies so far away -- what use now to dig a well, once the fire has already reached the rooftop?"

Verse 123 (skanda.4.7.123)

किमेभिश्चिंतनैर्व्यर्थैरतितापकरैर्मम । चिंतयामि हृषीकेशं शिवदं शिवमेव च

kimebhiściṁtanairvyarthairatitāpakarairmama ciṁtayāmi hṛṣīkeśaṁ śivadaṁ śivameva ca

"What use are these useless thoughts of mine, bringing me nothing but torment? Let me instead think only of Hrishikesha, and of Shiva, the giver of all auspiciousness."

Verse 124 (skanda.4.7.124)

अथवा मुक्त्युपायो वै मयैकः सदनुष्ठितः । मुक्तिपुर्यस्तु सप्तैताः स्वनेत्रविषयीकृताः

athavā muktyupāyo vai mayaikaḥ sadanuṣṭhitaḥ muktipuryastu saptaitāḥ svanetraviṣayīkṛtāḥ

"Or rather, one means to liberation I have surely already well accomplished -- for these seven cities of liberation I have made objects seen by my own eyes."

Verse 125 (skanda.4.7.125)

स्वर्गापवर्गयोरेकः साध्यो हि विदुषा ध्रुवम् । तयोरसाधने पश्चात्संतापेन च तप्यते

svargāpavargayorekaḥ sādhyo hi viduṣā dhruvam tayorasādhane paścātsaṁtāpena ca tapyate

"A wise man must surely secure one, at least, of the two -- heaven or final liberation; for failing to attain either, he is afterward tormented by remorse."

Verse 126 (skanda.4.7.126)

अथवा चिंतया किं मे त्वनया दुरवस्थया । रणे वा मरणं श्रेयस्तीर्थेवात्र यथा मम

athavā ciṁtayā kiṁ me tvanayā duravasthayā raṇe vā maraṇaṁ śreyastīrthevātra yathā mama

"Or rather, what use is this worry of mine, in so wretched a state? As death in battle is accounted a good death, so too, for me, is death here at this sacred tirtha."

Verse 127 (skanda.4.7.127)

किमहं मंदभागीव रथ्यां क्वापि म्रियेधुना । भागीरथ्यां म्रिये चाद्य का चिंता मम मूढवत्

kimahaṁ maṁdabhāgīva rathyāṁ kvāpi mriyedhunā bhāgīrathyāṁ mriye cādya kā ciṁtā mama mūḍhavat

"Shall I, like some unfortunate wretch, die now upon some mere roadside? No -- today I shall die in the very Bhagirathi herself; why then this foolish worry of mine?"

Verse 128 (skanda.4.7.128)

चर्मास्थि संचयेनाहमनेन वपुषा ध्रुवम् । प्राप्स्यामि निधनादत्र सिद्धिं नैःश्रेयसीं ध्रुवम्

carmāsthi saṁcayenāhamanena vapuṣā dhruvam prāpsyāmi nidhanādatra siddhiṁ naiḥśreyasīṁ dhruvam

"Through this very body of mine, this mere heap of skin and bone, by death here I shall surely, without doubt, attain that highest, most blessed accomplishment -- liberation itself."

Verse 129 (skanda.4.7.129)

एवं चिंतयतस्तस्य पीडासीदतिदारुणा । कोटि वृश्चिकदष्टस्य यावस्था तामवाप सः

evaṁ ciṁtayatastasya pīḍāsīdatidāruṇā koṭi vṛścikadaṣṭasya yāvasthā tāmavāpa saḥ

As he thought thus, a most terrible pain seized him; he came to be in the very state of one stung by a million scorpions all at once.

Verse 130 (skanda.4.7.130)

स्मर्तव्यं विस्मृतं सर्वं क्वाहं कोहं न वेत्ति च । दिनानि सप्तसप्तेति स्थित्वा पंचत्वमागतः

smartavyaṁ vismṛtaṁ sarvaṁ kvāhaṁ kohaṁ na vetti ca dināni saptasapteti sthitvā paṁcatvamāgataḥ

All that he should have remembered slipped from him; he no longer knew where he was or who he was; and having remained thus for seven times seven days, he passed away into the five elements.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.7.131)

तावद्वैकुठभुवनाद् विमानं समुपस्थितम् । तार्क्ष्योपलक्षितो यत्र ध्वजश्चातिसमुच्छ्रितः

tāvadvaikuṭhabhuvanād vimānaṁ samupasthitam tārkṣyopalakṣito yatra dhvajaścātisamucchritaḥ

At that very moment, a celestial chariot arrived there from the world of Vaikuntha, bearing a banner raised aloft high, marked with the sign of Garuda.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.7.132)

अधिष्ठितं सुकन्यानां स्वर्णकौशेयवाससाम् । चामरव्यग्रहस्तानां सहस्रेणातिविस्तृतम्

adhiṣṭhitaṁ sukanyānāṁ svarṇakauśeyavāsasām cāmaravyagrahastānāṁ sahasreṇātivistṛtam

That vast chariot was thronged with a thousand beautiful maidens, clad in garments of golden silk, their hands busy waving fly-whisks.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.7.133)

पुण्यशीलसुशीलाभ्यां गणाभ्यां च विराजितम् । चतुर्भुजाभ्यां स्वास्याभ्यां किंकिणीजालमालितम्

puṇyaśīlasuśīlābhyāṁ gaṇābhyāṁ ca virājitam caturbhujābhyāṁ svāsyābhyāṁ kiṁkiṇījālamālitam

It was adorned by two attendant ganas, virtuous and gentle in nature, four-armed and fair of face, and it was garlanded all about with a network of tinkling bells.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.7.134)

तद्विमानमथारुह्य पीतवासाश्चतुर्भुजः । अलंचक्रे नभोवर्त्म स द्विजो दिव्यभूषणः

tadvimānamathāruhya pītavāsāścaturbhujaḥ alaṁcakre nabhovartma sa dvijo divyabhūṣaṇaḥ

Mounting that celestial chariot, that brahmin, now clad in yellow garments and four-armed, adorned with divine ornaments, took his glorious place upon the pathway of the sky.